Art teacher's enthusiasm earns her accolades

BY JOE CALLAHANSTAR-BANNER

Monday

Nov 26, 2007 at 12:01 AMNov 26, 2007 at 6:33 AM

OCALA - Ruth Ann Dexheimer always had an interest in art, but there were no such classes when she attended a rural Illinois public school system in the 1950s.
That's because the Baby Boom generation was filling up schools with so many kids that all classrooms were needed for traditional instruction.
It was during an eighth-grade field trip to a St. Louis art museum - located about 60 miles from her Carlyle, Ill., family farm - that she fell in love with art and knew she wanted to somehow make it a career.
"I didn't get a lot of art training" as a child, said Dexheimer, 61. Still, she went on to become an art teacher - and an accomplished one, at that.
The 34-year education veteran has spent a decade at Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, a magnet elementary school on Martin Luther King Boulevard.
She recently was named art teacher of the year by the Florida Art Education Association. She received a statue at the Florida Art Education Association conference in Orlando on Oct. 19.
Dexheimer, a 1968 graduate of Chicago's Concordia Teachers College (now Concordia University), has spent 21 years in Marion County - about 11 years at St. John Lutheran School and the rest at Madison Street.
She moved along with her husband, Larry, and two sons to Marion County in 1986 to work at St. John. Both Larry and Ruth Dexheimer were working at a Lutheran School in Kentucky when they received a call to go to St. John.
Larry Dexheimer still works for St. John.
"I feel that everyone here at Madison Street should be recognized as playing a big part in me getting this award," said Dexheimer, the school's three-dimensional - height, width and depth - art teacher. "Everyone here played a role."
Madison Street has two art teachers, including two-dimensional art teacher Mary Beth Waltz, who focuses on painting. Though both teachers feature some drawing, Dexheimer's focus is pottery.
On a recent day, fifth-grader Josie Lawniczak, 10, was one of four children in her class to be chosen to work at the pottery wheel, a spinning device used to help artist mold pottery into unique shapes.
"Mrs. Dexheimer is very nice and knows a lot about art," Josie said with a smile. "If you start having problems [on the pottery wheel], you just say: 'Come save my pottery.' She will then come help you."
Minutes later, fifth-graders Canan Stravato, Donnie Noel, Elysia Muti and Onja Berry began talking about why they love art class with Dexheimer. They all love molding pottery and getting their hands dirty.
Madison Street Principal Carol Bard said Dexheimer, who received her national art certification two years ago, believes in making art fun and educational at the same time.
"Mrs. Dexheimer always mixes in the Sunshine State Standards with her teaching," Bard said. She referred to the state requirements that are designed to ensure enough math, English and reading skills are taught throughout the school day.
Dexheimer said not enough classes are being taught nationally that encourage students to exercise their creative side.
"We are neglecting the right side of the brain," she said. "My job as an art teacher is to help the students find their vision."
Her love of teaching is so strong that she hopes to continue for many more years. She loves children of all ages, art, teaching and sharing.
"These are my passions, along with my faith in God," she said, who credits her husband for his support in making sure she has succeeded in her profession.
The Dexheimers have two children: Philip Dexheimer, 30, who owns of Firebrick ceramic arts studio with his wife Amanda, and Dr. Jacob Dexheimer, 33, who is completing his residency at Vanderbilt University Hospital.
Joe Callahan may be reached at joe.callahan@starbanner.com or at 352-867-4113.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.